Big Lottery windfall for borough almost £24,000

The small grants programme is awarding more than £23,900 in the borough as part of a roll-out of £658,459 to 84 groups across Northern Ireland.

Awards For All offers community, voluntary and statutory groups the chance to apply for grants of between £500 and £10,000 that will have a big impact on local communities and the lives of people most in need.

Roddensvale School has been awarded a grant of £9,600 to run a music therapy programme for its pupils that will help to improve their confidence and social skills, and create a relaxed setting that will boost their education and self esteem.

A grant of £5,200 has been awarded to Larne Inver Park Social Kids, a group which works to improve the education and quality of life for children and young people in the local area. The group will use the funding to run a creative learning programme.

Sallagh Park Community Association is also receiving £5,698 to provide community-based activities to people in the Sallagh Park area, including a community fun day, family outings and seasonal celebrations.

Cairncastle Ulster Scots Group has been awarded £9,450 to produce detailed drawings for a capital project and training for evaluating tenders for the work.

Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s NI Awards for All programme funds health, education, environment and community projects that help people bring about positive change in their lives, improve health and well-being, develop skills and create safer communities.

“The application process is simple and accessible and shall remain so, making it easy for applicants to successfully apply for small pots of funding that can have such a big impact on local communities and lives.”

Application forms and notes are available at www.awardsforall.org.uk